VOX DEI–A Lenten experiment
VOX DEI—A LENTEN EXPERIMENT
Lent 2006
Lectio Divina
by Joseph Kim (Lead Pastor, Mosaic Boston)
Intro—Read at your own risk
Silence can be deafening at times—especially in those moments when you want to actually hear something–then the silence becomes a vacuum that goes beyond our ears and into something deeper. I wonder if that is why people throughout the ages and even now are desperate to hear the voice of their Creator. Because we often experience a silence from the heavens that is deafening to our souls—we want to know that God listens and we want to experience God’s voice into our lives; to know that he is pleased, to know what job to take, to know whom to marry, to know that we are doing the right thing when everyone screams otherwise, whatever. These are just concrete expressions of what it is that we want to hear. However, if you’re like me, I would just rather hear God’s voice—when I am in love, sometimes it really doesn’t matter that she answer my queries, but rather it matter more richly that I hear her voice and her expression of love for me. That is a voice that speaks deeper than mere choices I need to make between what’s behind this door or that.
During this season of Lent—the 40 days excluding Sunday’s (where we celebrate resurrection)—I am inviting you to a spiritual experiment to actively listen for the voice of God. There is so much noise that we encounter throughout our day from demands pressing upon our Outlook that we need something, some formal structure to help us block out those voices that hiss, yell, enjoin, criticize, flatter, or persuade in order to hear the voice of our Creator. That is why, I invite you to join as a community in Lectio Divina for the 40 days of Lent.
Lectio Divina—”sacred reading”—is a contemplative form of prayer and scripture reading that has been practiced for centuries by monastic orders which has gained popularity with many Christians beyond the Catholic tradition in recent years. I think its rise in popularity is due to the fact that the goal of this spiritual practice is one of mystical communion with God—to hear his voice in a way that speaks into our soul and not just our mind. So, a lot of people refer to Lectio Divina as an “art,” because it appeals to our right-brained reading of the Scriptures. It is not analysis or quantity of the text that is at hand, but rather quality of the reading such that the Holy Spirit speaks to us in a personal manner.
How is this practice from the discipline that many Christians call “Quiet Time”? It is similar, but with a significant shift in focus. We often are goal oriented in our times with God in order to do something, we look to the Scriptures for application, for direction, for accomplishing something for the Kingdom. God becomes a cosmic giver of gifts. The goal of Lectio Divina is simply being with God, in his presence, hearing of his love for you, and experiencing the Holy Spirit. In all the focus of our spiritual journey together is Jesus Christ.
The process of Lectio Divina
The setting is important for Lectio Divina. Although it can be done in a cafeteria or at your cubicle, it really is most effective when it is practiced in a silent, comfortable space where you can identify as sacred. You need to be comfortable. Also, this practice is most intended to be done individually as it is not a group prayer meeting nor a Bible study—however practicing the art in a community setting might help make the experience more of a shared journey and encouraging.
Opening prayer—once you have found a silent place by yourself or in community, sit still for a couple of minutes. And then pray a simple prayer to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Perhaps something like this: “Holy Spirit, I am ready to hear your voice this morning. Please guide my time so that I might experience you deeply. Amen.”
When you have prayed, you will go through these four basic steps that form the Lectio Divina.
LECTIO—reading/listening
We are attempting to listen deeply when we read the Scriptures, to “hear with the ears of our hearts” (St. Benedict). We are not reading here for information, but for reverential listening and reflection. It’s not a newspaper that we’re gulping down but rather a long awaited love letter address to you that is to be relished. So, approach the Scripture reverentially and with an expectation find something that speaks to your soul; savor each word and visualize the setting. Come to the Word of God with faith. The key is to read slowly, reflectively, and attentively. Try to identify a short phrase or word that you will meditate upon and become God’s Word for you today. This will typically be a rich phrase that touches you in a personal way.
Feel free to perform the lectio a second time if a particular phrase does not come out to you. Don’t rush.
MEDITATIO—meditation
Once you have identified a phrase that speaks in a personal way, you are invited to mediate on it and ruminate on the words. Don’t try to do a Bible study—there will be other times for that practice. But, you’re looking at the words and reflecting upon what God might be saying to you through them. Chew on them silently for a few minutes. When you are ready, write the phrase on an index card or piece of paper in order to memorize the phrase and carry with you throughout the day—this will be God’s word to you for the day as you meditate upon it. Gently repeat the phrase you wrote down on the piece of paper and repeat it over and over again. Repeat to yourself with your eyes closed. Memorization of this short phrase is key and carrying it around with you will be your divine word that God will speak to you through in a deep personal manner for the day.
Listen for what the phrase is saying to you at this moment and for what it might be saying to you throughout the day.
ORATIO—prayer
When you feel ready, openly express your heart towards God based upon the phrase. Don’t try to make a eloquent speech, but silently whisper your praise, lament, pain, petition, thanksgiving, or even intercession to God. Be spontaneous and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you and to you. The main things are to make the passage of Scripture the focus of your prayer and to make it personal and not about others.
CONTEMPLATIO—contemplation
This is the final stage that is simply rest. We simply rest in the presence of God who has spoken through His word and as invitation to his transformation of our souls. Allow yourself a few minutes (or as much time as you require) to simply sit and rest silently with God. Try not to think about your plans for the day. Try not even to pray actively. Try to listen for God’s voice speaking to you in a personal way. As we listen, we are mysteriously and gradually transformed. This is not unlike lovers gazing into each others eyes without words that speaks so much more than vocabulary can muster. Be still and know that He is God.
Lenten texts
Although you’re free to chose any texts that you feel God speaking to you through to practice lectio divina, you are invited to reflect upon the following 40 texts that have been carefully chosen to follow the life of Jesus Christ from before his birth to his death and burial from all four Gospels. They are a variety of parables and stories and teachings. Each text for the day has a suggested phrase for the meditation. You may choose this phrase or another one that might speak to you within the text; the choice is yours. However, the phrases have variety over the 40 days and you might find them enriching as you journey through them.
Day 1—Wed., Mar. 1
John 1:1-5–”In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (v.4)
Day 2—Thurs., Mar. 2
John 1:6-18–”The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (v.14)
Day 3—Fri., Mar. 3
John 1:19-28–”I am not the Christ.” (v.20)
Day 4—Sat., Mar. 4
Matthew 3:13-17–”This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.” (v.17)
Day 5—Mon., Mar. 6
Matthew 4:1-11–”Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (v.4)
Day 6—Tues., Mar. 7
Mark 1:14-20–”Come, follow me.” (v.17)
Day 7—Wed., Mar. 8
John 3:1-21–”no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (v.3)
Day 8—Thurs., Mar. 9
Mark 1:40-45–”If you are willing, you can make me clean.” (v.40)
Day 9—Fri., Mar. 10
Luke 5:27-32à”It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (v.31)
Day 10—Sat., Mar. 11
Matthew 12:1-8–”I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (v.7)
Day 11—Mon., Mar. 13
Matthew 5:1-12–”Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (v.12)
Day 12—Tues., Mar. 14
Luke 6:27-36–”Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Day 13—Wed., Mar. 15
Matthew 6:1-4–”your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (v.4)
Day 14—Thurs., Mar. 16
Matthew 6:25-34–”do not worry” (v.25, 34)
Day 15—Fri., Mar. 17
Luke 7:11-17–”God has come to help his people.” (v.16)
Day 16—Sat., Mar. 18
Luke 7:36-50–”Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (v.50)
Day 17—Mon., Mar. 20
Mark 3:31-35–”Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (v.35)
Day 18—Tues., Mar. 21
Mark 4:1-20–”He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (v.9)
Day 19—Wed., Mar. 22
Matthew 13:44-46–”The kindom of God is like treasure . . .” (v.44)
Day 20—Thurs., Mar. 23
Mark 4:35-41–”Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v.40)
Day 21—Fri., Mar. 24
Luke 8:40-56–”My child, get up!” (v.54)
Day 22—Sat., Mar. 25
John 6:1-14–”Here is a boy with five small barely loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (v.9)
Day 23—Mon., Mar. 27
John 6:16-24–”It is I; don’t be afraid.” (v.20)
Day 24—Tues., Mar. 28
John 6:25-59–”I am the bread of life.” (v.35)
Day 25—Wed., Mar. 29
Matthew 16:13-20–”‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’” (v.15)
Day 26—Thurs., Mar. 30
Matthew 16:21-28–”For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” (v.25)
Day 27—Fri., Mar. 31
Mark 9:14-32–”Everything is possible for him who believes.” (v.23)
Day 28—Sat., Apr. 1
Matthew 18:21-35–”I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (v.22)
Day 29—Mon., Apr. 3
John 8:12–”I am the light of the world.” (v.12)
Day 30—Tues, Apr. 4
John 10:1-10–”I am the gate” (v.9)
Day 31—Wed., Apr. 5
John 10:11-21–”I am the good shepherd;” (v.11)
Day 32—Thurs., Apr. 6
John 11:1-44–”I am the resurrection and the life.” (v.25)
Day 33—Fri., Apr. 7
John 14:5-14–”I am the way and the truth and the life.” (v.6)
Day 34—Sat., Apr. 8
John 15:1-17–”I am the true vine” (v.1)
Day 35—Mon., Apr. 10
Matthew 21:1-11–”Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (v.9)
Day 36—Tues., Apr. 11
Luke 19:45-48–”My house will be a house of prayer.” (v.46)
Day 37—Wed., Apr. 12
John 13:1-17–”Do you understand what I have done for you?” (v.12)
Day 38—Thurs. Apr. 13
Mark 14:66-72–”he broke down and wept.” (v.72)
Day 39—Fri., Apr. 14
Matthew 27:45-56–”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (v. 46)
Day 40—Sat., Apr. 15
Matthew 27:62-66–”I will rise again.” (v.63)